About Macro Magnification
A life-size macro lens—that is, a 1x
magnification records an image on film
at its actual size. If you’re photographing
a flower, for example, and it has a
diameter of 1 in., it will occupy 1 in. on
your film. Other macro lenses have
lower or higher magnifications. A lens
with 0.5x magnification would produce
an image on film that is half the size of
the actual subject. Your 1 in. flower,
then, would only occupy 0.5 in. on film.
In the other direction, a 5x magnification
lens would convert the 1 in. flower to a
5 in. diameter image. Since the entire
image wouldn’t fit in the frame of your
film, you would have an enlarged image
of a detail of the flower. Magnification
is not the same thing as focal length. A
50mm lens and a 135mm might both
be macro lenses with, for example,
1.0x magnification. The advantage of
the longer lens is that it allows greater
distance from a subject. You would
choose the 135mm macro lens to
photograph a butterfly or a bird.
The 50mm lens would be more suitable
for a subject that won’t move away
when you approach it.
M A C R O
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UD lens
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EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Many EOS shooters consider this two
professional lenses in one: a superior-
performance portrait-length tele with a
fast f/2.8 aperture and lightning-quick
USM AF; and a superb macro lens
that focuses to life-size (1x) without
accessories. It has a unique internal
focusing design and floating optics for
sharpness throughout its vast focus
range, and allows a working distance
of 5.9 inches (149mm) at life-size. Full-
time manual focusing and an available
Tripod Mount B with adapter round out
this terrific macro lens.
EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM
One of the sharpest lenses in the entire
EOS system, and a brilliant all-around
telephoto lens that can focus to true
life-size (1x) — with a working distance
of almost 10 inches (0.25m) from the
subject! Three UD-glass elements, a
floating optical system, and internal
focusing assure superb performance at
any distance. It’s even compatible with
the EF 1.4x II and 2x II tele extenders.
A powerful ring-type USM means fast
and silent AF, along with full-time manual
focus. It includes a tripod collar and
detachable lens hood.
Extension Tube EF 12 II
Extension Tube EF 25 II
Extension tubes are one method of
getting closer with EF lenses. A powerful
tool when attached to standard and
wide-angle lenses, they’re also used
with telephotos to get just a bit closer.
With any lens, the longer the extension
tube, the greater the close-up effect.
The 12mm EF 12 II is often used with
wide-angle lenses, while the longer EF 25 II
is a better choice for normal or telephoto
lenses. Auto exposure continues to
work reliably, but manual focus is
recommended in most instances. The
version II extension tubes are also
compatible with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6.
Close-up Lens 250D
Close-up Lens 500D
Close-up Lens 500
An effective close-up method with
telephoto lenses, and the only close-up
accessory that doesn’t lose light. The
250D is optimized for lenses between
50 and 135mm, while the 500D works
best with lenses from 75mm through
300mm. Both have a double-element
design, so their optical quality is
excellent. The Close-up lens 500, a
single-element design, offers an even
more affordable alternative.
EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
•f/5.6 •1/6 sec.
0.25x
0.5x
1.0x
3.0x
5.0x
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